EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The Colorado Pride of the United Women’s Soccer (UWS) West Conference have named Richard Simonyi as their new head coach for the 2016 season. The Budapest, Hungary native brings over 20 years of youth/developmental coaching experience to the Colorado Springs-based organization, and will lead the team in their first season in the new national pro-am women’s soccer league.

“We are so pleased that Coach Simonyi agreed to accept the head coaching position for the Pride women as we enter the inaugural season of UWS play,” said Pride Executive Director Candy Brooks, who was instrumental in the coaching search. “We are confident he will deliver the same tradition of quality soccer and a quality player experience to the Colorado Springs community that we have come to expect in our first two years of operation at the women’s pro-am level.”

Simonyi most recently worked with the Crossfire Premier program in the Redmond, WA area, where he was responsible for the U-17 Boys top competitive team. His work coaching in the Western College Development Association will suit Simonyi well as he prepares to work with the Pride pro-am players, mostly comprised of current college players supplemented by former professionals and international talent.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Pride soccer program and, in particular, coaching high level players for the UWS squad,” said Simonyi. “I’m committed to get the best out of each and every player individually and as a team as we play the beautiful game the way it should be played.”

Simonyi will have big shoes to fill as he succeeds Daniel Clitnovici (2014) and Sian Hudson (2015), who took their respective squads to the Western Conference Final in each of the team’s first two years of play in the now-defunct W-League. Clitnovici moved on to the top assistant role with the Western New York Flash of NWSL and recently joined the Ohio State women’s soccer staff as assistant head coach. Hudson left the club after last season to join the Colorado College women’s soccer staff.

The Pride will again call Colorado College’s Washburn Field home and open their home slate on June 5. The Pride join former W-League teams Colorado Storm and Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the UWS West Conference, alongside former WPSL powerhouses Real Salt Lake and the Houston Aces. The team’s full official schedule and 2016 roster signings will be announced soon. For more information, visit their official website at pridewleague.com.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. EDP serves as UWS administrators and will be facilitating schedules, disciplinary procedures, etc. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.